He said the ministry opined that the revision was necessary in view of the high risk taken by the personnel when handling SARS patients.

“This is important because we do not want some of them resigning from the healthcare service,” he told Malaysian reporters after the conclusion of the special one-day Asia Pacific Health Ministers Meeting here.

In deciding on the revision, Chua said the ministry considered the experiences of healthcare personnel around the globe, in particular countries where some personnel left the service because of their unsatisfactory allowance, which did not justify their health risk in treating SARS patients.

Chua declined to reveal the new quantum, saying it would be revealed upon approval by the Cabinet.

He said the revision was important to the Malaysian healthcare personnel as it reflected the Government’s deep appreciation for the doctors, nurses and other medical care personnel, including those involved in conducting the screening process. – Bernama